19 May 2008

I am a Sooper Hero!!!! Blake of Blake Makes blogging out of New Orleans gives away delicious treats on his blog. How lucky are we!!! Besides some delicious recipes from both himself and his wife Bridget he has a group of sponsors who provide him with goodies so that he can spread the LOVE!! You can be a Sooper Hero too!!!!! Just contact Blake at his web site and join in the fun!This month I have been the lucky recipient of 3 bars of premium Amano Dark Chocolate. Amano Artisan Chocolate has nabbed many awards in the foodie world. "The company is one of the few companies in Utah in the United States that obtains superior-quality cocoa beans direct from the source and artfully transforms them into finished super-premium chocolate."

We all know that eating 2 ounces (50 grams) a day of plain chocolate with a minimum content of 70% chocolate solids can be beneficial to our health. Yay..there is a God!!!!!!! It provides protection against heart disease, high blood pressure, and many other health hazards as well as providing essential trace elements and nutrients such as iron, calcium and potassium, vitamins A, B1, C, D, and E. I'd rather eat 2 ounces of chocolate than take my vitamin pills!!!!!!!!!!

Part of the allure of chocolate has to do with the taste of course. It is a deliciously rich concoction that would satisfy the most intense craving and have us drooling on our screens. There are also several chemical reactions at work whenever we bite into a piece of luscious chocolaty goodness. Chocolate stimulates the secretion of endorphins, producing a pleasurable sensation similar to the "runner's high" a jogger feels after running several miles. About 40% of women and 15% of men report chocolate cravings.

The higher cocoa, lower sugar content and antioxidant properties of premium dark chocolate are making it a more attractive treat for the health-conscious. As much as I would love to believe it not all chocolate is heart healthy. Milk chocolate and white chocolate, which is not really chocolate at all, may expand the hips rather than contain the flavonoids that improve the blood flow.

I decided to try a recipe from the British household name Delia Smith. She says this is a fairly easy souffle and does not sink too fast. There is no sugar added at all so that the flavour of the premium chocolate shines through. It has a lovely chocolate sauce as well which I made from the Limited Edition Cuyagua bar which I really enjoyed. If you are using premium artisan chocolate the flavour needs to stand alone. The souffle was exceptional , but did sink quite quickly despite advice to the contrary....but it sure was good!!!!

**Dark Chocolate Rum Souffles**

For the soufflés:

4 oz (110 g) dark chocolate (75 per cent cocoa solids)

2 T rum

2 T double cream

4 large egg yolks

6 large egg whites

a little melted butter for greasing

a little golden caster sugar for dusting ( I determined this was demerara sugar)

First of all, pop the baking tray into the oven to pre-heat. Now break the chocolate into a heatproof mixing bowl, add the rum and cream, and place the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water, making sure the base of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Leave it until the chocolate is just soft, which will take about 6 minutes, them remove it from the heat and beat with a wooden spoon until it's smooth and glossy. Allow it to cool.

In the meantime, brush the ramekins with melted butter and dust with golden caster sugar.

Now, in a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks thoroughly and stir them into the chocolate mixture. Then, in another, large, grease-free bowl – and making sure the beaters of your electric hand whisk are clean and dry – whisk the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Then, using a metal spoon, fold a quarter of the egg white into the chocolate mixture to loosen it and then fold in the rest gently and carefully.

Next, pour the whole lot into the ramekins and bake on the baking tray for about 10 minutes, or until the soufflés are puffy and springy to the touch.

Meanwhile, make the chocolate sauce. Break the chocolate into another heatproof mixing bowl and add the cream. Place it over a pan of barely simmering water, once again making sure the base of the bowl doesn't touch the water. After about 6 minutes, remove it from the heat and beat it with a wooden spoon until smooth. Pour the sauce into a warmed jug and keep warm.

Serve the soufflés straight from the oven, dusted with the icing sugar. Hand round the chocolate sauce and cream in jugs – then the surface of the soufflés can be gently divided using a teaspoon, and the sauce and cream poured into the space.

You had me at dark chocolate. You didn't have to throw in the rum, or the souflle bit. I wish I lived in the states because it is my firm belief that you haven't lived until you have tried ALL the artisan chocolate out there! I'm making it my life's work

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My blog More Than Burnt Toast has been my passion for almost 9 years and has evolved with me over time as I have gained confidence in the kitchen. Follow my travels through Italy and Greece one recipe at a time, upcoming cooking classes at local Okanagan wineries and restaurants, as well as daily experimentation in my own kitchen. Every day we should be excited about what we are eating even if it just means making use of a wonderful find at our local farmers market. I look forward to getting to know you.